Ogun PDP intimidation claims deepen as Abayomi Tella alleges attacks and arrests during the party’s campaign, while APC calls for a probe
The Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Abayomi Tella, on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Abeokuta, alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was using its control of state institutions to intimidate and suppress opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Tella made the allegation while addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, where he detailed what he described as a troubling series of incidents surrounding the party’s Ogun East campaign activities.
According to the PDP chairman, the incidents included the cancellation of a campaign venue in Idowa, alleged attacks on members of the party’s campaign convoy in Ososa, damage to vehicles and the arrest of PDP members who, he said, had gone to report the incident to the police.
Tella said the party had secured the use of a venue in Idowa, Odogbolu Local Government Area, after paying N170,000 into a community account following discussions with local representatives.
He alleged that the approval was withdrawn only hours before the scheduled campaign event, forcing the PDP to relocate the programme to Odogbolu.
Tella said the situation became more serious as the campaign convoy moved through Idowa and towards Ososa.
According to him, the convoy was confronted by people who allegedly blocked its movement, with stones, weapons and gunshots later directed at some of the vehicles.
Several vehicles were reportedly damaged, while some party members sustained injuries.
Tella drew particular attention to a vehicle belonging to PDP candidate Agbolade, alleging that a gunshot damaged the vehicle’s alloy rim.
“The first thing I would plead with the IG to do is to thoroughly investigate what transpired on Wednesday and ascertain what type of gun was used to shoot at our candidate’s car,” Tella said.
He also alleged that five or six PDP members remained in police custody after the incident, describing their arrest as troubling because the party considered them complainants rather than suspects.
“It is sad that the police have now arrested PDP members who are meant to be the complainants,” Tella said.
The PDP chairman called on Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to deploy a special investigation team to Ogun State to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
The allegations have, however, been disputed in the political narrative surrounding the incident.
Ogun APC Publicity Secretary Olufemi Nuberu previously condemned the reported shooting but alleged that the gunfire involved security personnel attached to PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu.
The APC also called for a police investigation and accountability for anyone found culpable.
The competing accounts mean that responsibility for the reported shooting has not been independently established.
The police were contacted by one media outlet for a response, but the spokesperson did not respond to subsequent calls and a text message at the time of its report.
The reported confrontation followed the PDP’s Ogun East campaign flag-off, which the party said began peacefully as supporters moved through Ijebu-Ode towards Odogbolu. Tella said the convoy encountered resistance later in the journey.
The PDP has urged the police to investigate both the alleged shooting and the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Tella also framed the incident within the wider political contest ahead of the 2027 election, alleging that the ruling party was attempting to restrict opposition activity.
Those claims remain allegations by the PDP and have not been established as fact.
The latest dispute comes against a backdrop of continuing political competition in Ogun State.
In June, the PDP endorsed Lateefah Sowunmi-Kolapo as running mate to its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, as the party prepared for the 2027 contest.
The Ogun PDP has also faced internal leadership disputes during 2026, with Tella previously insisting that the state executive elected in September 2024 remained constitutionally valid after reports of its dissolution by the party’s national leadership.
For now, the Ososa incident remains the subject of competing claims, with both the PDP and APC calling for police intervention.
Tella said the PDP would continue its political activities despite the reported incidents and maintained that the party remained committed to peaceful participation in the 2027 elections.
“The PDP is too united to be destabilised,” he said.
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The immediate focus is now on whether the police will conduct the impartial investigation requested by the parties and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire, vehicle damage and arrests.
